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At 62 stories, the AON Center, towering over the sweeping vistas of Los Angeles, is one of the world’s tallest buildings. Built in 1974, the AON Center features windows from top to bottom. To control heat and glare, the building’s management had window film applied to the glass in the late 1980s. But while the film did improve energy efficiency, most window films at that time had one serious flaw - eventually they acquired an unwelcome purplish tint. Almost two decades later, the AON Centre was due for a facelift.

Motivated to increase the building’s energy efficiency and take advantage of new energy rebate offers, Operations Manager David Thompson called in two competing window film dealers to participate in an informal performance test. Harry Stallmach, owner of ADEC, Inc., an authorized 3M window film dealer, and his competitor each applied film to a test area. Building engineers then measured temperatures over a two-month period.

"The 3M window film outperformed the competing film in both energy efficiency and price," says Thompson. "In addition, the Department of Water and Power, which offered the rebates, wanted high light transmission. The 3M Night Vision window film offered that, plus the energy efficiency properties we wanted."

"Often, films with the greatest sun control and glare reduction capabilities are so reflective that they are difficult to see through, especially at night," says Stallmach. "Night Vision blocks solar heat by up to 59 percent and UV rays by up to 99 percent, and it reduces glare by 72 percent, making it one of the top performers in the industry. And, when you’re on the inside looking out, the film’s low reflectivity gives you clear views -an important factor when you’re in L.A." The same technology that tones down reflectivity also makes the Night Vision film colour-stable, ensuring the colour won’t change.

RESULTS

Preliminary results indicate that the AON Centre will realise annual energy savings of more than $200,000. Combining those savings with the energy rebates, Thompson expects the project’s cost will be recovered in less than two years. "We’re now able to cool the building using outside air for more months out of the year," he says. "And, on the really hot summer days, we’re able to run with one less chiller, which is a significant savings." Other pleasing results include fewer tenant comfort complaints, positive feedback about clearer views - even at night. While the performance of the 3M film was the main selling point, Thompson says he was also impressed with the support that came from 3M's corporate offices: "3M really stepped up to the plate. Night Vision was a new product, and they wanted to be sure we had all of the information we needed. They even brought in the person at 3M who invented the technology to show us how the film works. It was much more than we expected", and a noticeable improvement in the building’s exterior appearance.

THE 3M DIFFERENCE

While the performance of the 3M film and his relationship with Stallmach were the main selling points, Thompson says he was also impressed with the support that came from 3M’s corporate offices: "3M really stepped up to the plate. Night Vision was a new product, and they wanted to be sure we had all of the information we needed. They even brought in the person at 3M who invented the technology to show us how the film works. It was much more than we expected"